Georg arrived back at Bremmehaven with time to spare. He was grateful for that because he knew he'd need to mind his ways with all eyes on him. He knew he'd have to be careful, that he couldn't anger anyone. There were Nazis in close proximity to Maria and the children, and while he was sure Dr. Skinner would do everything he could to protect them, his loyalties were with the Reich.
"Good afternoon, Sir," Tom greeted when he saw Georg arrived back.
"Good afternoon, Tom," the Captain replied, "any telegrams or messages."
"Not many, Sir," Tom replied, "Admiral von Schriver requests to see you upon you arrival. Also, your wife telegraphed to say that Frau Schreiner had a healthy baby girl."
The Captain smiled, "Excellent. Please call the Admiral and let him know I'm on my way."
"Yes, Sir," Tome replied, doing as ordered.
When Captain von Trapp arrived in the Admiral's outer office, his assistant greeted him with a salute, "Captain von Trapp, welcome back, Sir."
"Thank you, Karl. Is the Admiral in?" he asked.
Karl shook his head, "No, Sir. He wasn't expecting you so soon, Sir."
"All right," the Captain nodded, "I'll wait for awhile," he told Karl before having a seat.
The Captain waited nearly an hour before Karl's phone rang. Georg listened with one ear to the professional exchange before Karl disconnected the call and rose from the desk, "Excuse me, Sir. I must deliver these orders to the other side of the base. I'll be back soon."
Captain von Trapp nodded and returned to his waiting for the Admiral to arrive. Another hour slowly ticked by and neither Admiral von Schriver nor his assistant returned. The phone rang and the Captain debated answering it, it wasn't his office so he let it go. A few minutes later, it rang again. The Captain then decided it must be important and the incessant jingling every five minutes would make this wait even more interminable. Finally, the Captain took the call.
Georg listened to the General on the other end, and offered to take a message for the Admiral. He searched the top of the desk for a pen or pencil which he found under some file folders. One of the names on the folder caught his eye, First Lieutenant Brandon Heinz. Lieutenant Heinz was a member of his crew. Out of curiosity, Captain von Trapp searched the names on the other folders, in the pile, Lieutenant Schreiner, Hempstead Bhaer, Corporal Krell…they were all members assigned to his U-boat crew.
Finally, a thick record folder was revealed with his name on the label.
By this time, the voice on the other end was growing annoyed and was repeating, "Hello. Hello."
Quickly the Captain took the phone message and put it in his uniform pocket. He glanced at the clock. He didn't know how long he had until the Admiral or Karl returned. All he knew was his guy was telling him to read that file.
Georg opened Lt. Heinz folder and read remarks written in Tom's writing, his writing, and the Admiral's writing. Georg scanned the words and the sheets of paper inside the folder. On a blank slip of paper was written a list of contact names in case something should happened to the young lieutenant and underneath those names was a handwritten note of what appeared to be instructions for what to write in a death notification telegram.
To Whom It May Concern:
We regret to inform you that your brother, Lieutenant Brandon H. Heinz was killed in action in the North Atlantic when his U-boat was depth charged while defending the Third Reich forces. We were grateful to him for his service in the Navy of the Third Reich, from November 19, 1937 until September 23, 1939.
Admiral von Schriver
Navy of the Third Reich.
September 23, 1939. Today was September 12. How could the Admiral know Brandon Heinz would be KIAed on a depth charged submarine in nine days? Georg's stomach dropped as he began leafing through the other folders, finding similar messages in each, along with relatives benefit forms, and medal recommends. Something was going on, and he knew that the information Friederich told him had something to do with it. This was all part of some elaborate plot and it sickened Georg that the Admiral would murder innocent men to remove him with exalting speculation and questions from the public. His popularity amongst his countrymen would hinder any trial or formal on the level action, so they powers that be were forced to be diabolical.
It made sense, when he thought about it. Make it look like they were all heroes, while eliminating him as a risk to the Navy and as a possibly spy. They'd lose some innocents, but oh, well, they could replenish them with brainwashed youth members and promote enlisted to the rank of COs if necessary. It was all very clever. If only Georg knew who set him up.
Before he really had time to think about it, he heard Admiral von Schriver's voice in the hall. He hurried to take a seat and opened his briefcase to study his own files to avoid suspicion.
Admiral von Schriver seemed shocked when he entered but not worried, "Ah, Captain von Trapp, I hope you weren't waiting too long."
"No, Sir," the Captain replied saluting his superior, "I arrived early."
The Admiral nodded, "Excellent. How long has Karl been gone?"
"Not very long, Sir," Georg fibbed. He didn't want to tip his hand and reveal any possibility that he knew about the plan, or that he was formulating one of his own.
"Come in," Admiral von Schriver invited, "have a seat."
Georg sat across from the Admiral and prayed he looked relaxed and was acting normally.
"So how are things home? How are your wife and son?" the Admiral asked.
"They are well, Sir. My son is getting really bit, all my older children are back in school, so Maria was glad to have some help for awhile," Georg answered.
"Don't you have a governess?" the Admiral asked.
'No," Georg replied, "I offered, but Maria wanted to do it all herself so…"
"Well, I admire that. Our doctor reports she is every bit as wonderful as you say," Admiral von Schriver said.
"She is a rare gem," Georg agreed with a smile.
"Now, down to business," the Admiral began, "As you are aware, our ground forces annexed Poland for the Reich's expansion and the Brits have since declared war on us. Now, your missions will be more crucial than ever, and more dangerous."
"I understand, Sir. The British Navy is one of the best in the world," Captain von Trapp commented.
"Yes, it is. So long story short, Captain, you and your crew will be deployed in the North Atlantic seeking British air craft carriers in position to launch air raids on German controlled territory on the continent. The mission will be short, about 90 days, but crucial," the Admiral said, "Get your crew together, Captain. You'll be deployed in 48 hours."
Georg felt sick. Forty-eight hours was not enough time to formulate an effective counter plan against what the Admiral and his cronies had cooked up. Thus, he'd have to devise some safely measures in case the idea he was formulating in his head was not successful.
The start of that plan would be to reach of to Max and inform him that in the event of his being killed, he was to take Maria and the children out of Austria to safety in Switzerland so they could not become targets. He was working on a time limit and had a few important things to do, so as soon as the Admiral dismissed him, he set about writing.
Dear Max,
I don't have long to write as I'm pressed once again for time. I must cut to the point and ask you without preamble or pleasantry a most urgent favor.
I've just learned that my sub is to be deployed to the North Atlantic for reconnaissance and now that the Reich is at warm with England, this is a dangerous assignment. Because of this, I may not be able to return home to Austria for sometime. There is a chance, however slight, that I may never return home if the battles go badly. That is why I ask you, my dearest friend, to go to Salzburg, assail yourself of my hospitality and take care of my family.
I thank you in advance for the favor I know you will grant to me and always remember, the reddest fern grows on the snow capped mountain.
Georg.
The code was something Max and Georg devised before he left. If Georg ever had to instruct Max to move his family in the event of his death or capture. That way, if their correspondence were intercepted, it would seem like an inside joke between two friends. It was times like these; Georg adored the conniving side of Max's nature.
The two day allotment before deployment flew by and before Georg realized it, there were only four hours left to go. He had to be on deck briefing his men in two hours and he'd yet to leave word for Maria.
He wanted to phone Maria, hear her voice, carry it with him into battle if he had to, but he had to think of her. A phone call was not something she could keep later on, it was not like a letter that could be savored, read and reread, so he quickly began outlining his thoughts of things he wanted to say to his wife and family.
It took Georg nearly the full two hours of time he had to write a letter, leaving both words of love and words of instruction for his wife and each of his children. He'd told Maria she was to read those parts to each child in the event they were notified of his death. On his way out to the dock, he gave the letter to Tom, the one person he still trusted, "Tom, make sure this gets to my wife in Salzburg," he told him, his shoulder square, his posture not betraying a hint of the fear he felt.
"Yes, Sir," Tom replied, "May God go with you."
A/N: PLEASE DO NOT HATE ME!! THIS WILL BE THE LAST INSTALLMENT OF FOR THE SAKE OF THE FAMILY UNTIL THE WEEK OF JULY 19TH. FROM JULY 12 UNTIL JULY 19 I WILL BE ON VACATION WITH MY FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR READING AND LOOK FOR AN UPDATE THE WEEK OF THE 19TH.
